A not-for-profit agency, KSA Kosher is committed to bringing the kosher consumer assurance of quality and compliance with kosher standards. KSA Kosher is the largest kosher certification agency in the Western United States. With the support and backing of rabbinical associations and synagogues nationwide, KSA Kosher is respected by recognized Kashrus certification agencies from the U.S. and abroad.

The KSA Kosher certification process begins with an application. This comprehensive form details all aspects of the manufacturing process and helps identify potential cross-contamination with non-kosher food products. Each company must complete a detailed flowchart that follows raw supplies through processing until packing. Once complete, the application is reviewed by a KSA Kosher appointed auditor. KSA Kosher reports that its certification procedure is effective in identifying deficiencies in kosher ingredients and preparation practices.

The KSA Kosher evaluation process is extensive and involves an on-site inspection completed by a rabbi. This representative will verify all ingredients listed on the applicant’s paperwork to ensure consistency. The condition of the facility will be scrutinized including preparation, cleaning and storage practices.

Certification is granted only to those in conformance with Jewish dietary law.

History

KSA Kosher was founded in 1996 by Rabbi Binyomin Lisbon who is active in the day-to-day operations of the agency and is often present for inspections. Since 1977 Rabbi Lisbon has been the rabbi of Congregation Chabad/Lubavitch of Beverly Hills. He founded the agency to help the busy kosher consumer make better-informed decisions about their dietary options.

Since its inception, KSA Kosher has operated as a not-for-profit Kashrus certification agency. It is recognized on a global scale by rabbinical associations and respected by all other major kosher certification agencies in the world. The mission of KSA Kosher to ensure quality products is supported by synagogues and rabbis across the U.S.

KSA Kosher exists because the food service industry has seen unprecedented growth in the demand for kosher certified products over the last two decades. KSA Kosher provides manufacturers a competitive advantage in the kosher food and beverage industry. In the United States, nearly $34 billion of food and food products are produced to kosher standards. The agency caters to 8 million consumers who intentionally seek the kosher label.

Today, KSA Kosher has offices around the world and has certified hundreds of companies. Rabbi Lisbon remains diligent in his efforts to ensure each ingredient in every KSA Kosher certified product is supervised from the time it is picked or produced until it is put on store shelves. He has been quoted saying, “When consumers see the word ‘kosher’ on a product, they’re buying it in good faith.”

KSA Kosher certifies products from around the world and represents a cross section of the quality nutrition that is available for the kosher consumer. Included in the agency’s list of certified companies is Walker Foods, Inc.—the manufacturer of El Pato hot sauce, Awesome Almonds, oriental cuisine manufacturer Lee Kum Kee, organic juice supplier Evolution Fresh, Martinelli’s, and coffee and tea producer City Bean. These are just a few of the thousands of producers and products KSA Kosher has monitored over the last 17 years.

For additional information about KSA Kosher, visit the agency’s website at KSAKosher.com.